as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
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Recent Examples of bystanders
In the footage, a man can be seen pinning a visibly bloodied man to the ground and attacking him multiple times before bystanders and police officers managed to subdue him.
—
Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Some of the victims were intentionally targeted, but the majority were innocent bystanders, Kapszukiewicz said.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Next to a convenience store just outside police tape, a small group of bystanders watched officers survey the area.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
Once down, bystanders quickly rushed to his aid.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Two bystanders intervened after hearing the woman’s cries for help, deputies said.
—Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
Several friends dragged Andrade back to shore, while one held his airway together with their hands, and strangers and bystanders helped keep him alive until emergency services arrived.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Finally, bystanders pulled the men apart.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
When the conductor arrived at the scene, Goetz played the Good Samaritan, checking to make sure bystanders in the train car were unharmed.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Some of the victims were intentionally targeted, but the majority were innocent bystanders, Kapszukiewicz said.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Next to a convenience store just outside police tape, a small group of bystanders watched officers survey the area.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
Once down, bystanders quickly rushed to his aid.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Two bystanders intervened after hearing the woman’s cries for help, deputies said.
—Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
Several friends dragged Andrade back to shore, while one held his airway together with their hands, and strangers and bystanders helped keep him alive until emergency services arrived.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Finally, bystanders pulled the men apart.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
When the conductor arrived at the scene, Goetz played the Good Samaritan, checking to make sure bystanders in the train car were unharmed.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
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In his decade-long career, he’s often been heckled and cursed at by spectators during domestic matches.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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The exchange also cut into spectators and platforms.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Noun
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But there's a new wrinkle that makes forecasting this election a bit trickier than in years past, observers say.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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This clinching game was what many observers expected the series to be like between the defensive-minded teams, but each side watched leads of two-plus goals disappear in the first three games.—
Mark Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Gutierrez said the jury would not privilege any particular documentary form, but would prioritize works that communicate genuine emotion and connect with viewers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 June 2026
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New Zealand filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou — twins better known by their nom de YouTube RackkaRackka, where their violent, nutso videos were embraced by millions of viewers — became indie darlings thanks to their 2022 hit for A24, Talk to Me.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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